Our lives in addiction were often shaped by characteristics of impatience and selfishness. We didn’t take much time to think about others or be present with them. Communicating appropriately in an uplifting way never occurred to us. We used angry words to hurt and manipulate and vent our frustration. Now in recovery, we are seeking to find a way of life that reflects the kindness, goodness, and patience that God desires us to have with one another.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2 NLT)
It takes patient deliberate actions to live with integrity and consistently tell the truth. We need patience to see a job through to the end. Beginnings are easy, but “keeping on keeping on” until the job is done takes a lot of determination. Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NLT)
We were created to live and work with each other. It may be a trying task to learn how to co-operate with another, to listen to their point of view, or give way to their ideas, and yet that’s how life works. As we learn to give attention to details that never mattered to us in the past, we will need to be very patient both with ourselves and others. We will need to have consideration for the requirements of those who are working with us.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. (Romans 15:5 NLT)
We need to regularly ask God to fill us with the fruit of His Holy Spirit as we deal with core character defects that have been the norm for us for so many years.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to patiently deal with myself, others, and the situations that confront me. Come and fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit and produce in me the good fruit I require to live in harmony with everyone I meet. Amen
©2018 Partners in Hope
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